$10,000 will promote small business development in Morgan County

                                                                                                               

July 21, 2009 - WARTBURG, Tenn.—Rural Development Area Director Jerry Amonett and Morgan County Chamber Board Member Kelly Amonett today announced an investment of $10,000 to increase small business development opportunities and promote community events. The check presentation took place at the Morgan County Courthouse in Wartburg.

 

"Small business is the economic engine of rural communities, creating jobs and helping maintain a healthy, diversified local economy," said Amonett. "This investment will help the Morgan County Chamber keep up with technological advances that ensure local resources are in place to support small business development and to help entrepreneurs grow new jobs for the area."

 

The Rural Development grant will be used to build and maintain the website and, in turn, provide new tools for marketing area businesses to visitors and locals. The Chamber is contributing an additional $2,500 to the project.

 

"Visitors to our area contribute greatly to our local economy," said Kelly Amonett. "By partnering with Rural Development, we're giving our visitors another avenue to find out up to date information about our area. Morgan County greatly appreciates the grant from Rural Development."

 

Rural Development’s rural business enterprise grant program provides assistance to local governments and non-profit organizations that assist small businesses, develop local business infrastructure, provide job training, conduct feasibility studies or provide technical assistance to businesses and community leaders.

 

Others participating in the presentation included Sen. Bob Corker's representative David Leaverton, Rep. Lincoln Davis' representative John Robbins, Morgan County Mayor Becky Ruppe, Morgan County Chamber Director Gigi Schooler, Morgan County Economic Development Board Members Sharon, Heidel, Jean Pollard and Tim Johnson, and RD Area Staff Larry Mason and Chuck Morris.

 

USDA Rural Development invests in rural communities through business development, community and homeownership programs. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in Morgan County contact the Rural Development Area Office in Knoxville at 865-523-3338 ext. 4, toll free at 1-800-342-3149 extension 1491, or visit us online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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